Rakaia Sports.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 227, 28 December 1880, Page 2

Rakaia Sports.

(from OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) These events which for some years past have regularly come off on Boxing Day, were held oh vt onday, in what is generally known as the Government Paddock. At one time it seemed .more than likely that the sports would not take place this year, a feeling of- indifference generally prevailing, and meeting after meeting was called for the purpose of getting up the usual committee, but for some time without avail. If these events are to become an institution of the place, a sports committee should be elected of men who will go thoroughly through with the work, and not consider their duties have been done as soon as the prizes ha’-e been paid, but will see that all promised subscriptions have been paid in, all claims satisfied, and the balance, if any, placed so that it might be forthcoming for the next occasion. A general meeting of subscribers should be held say in November of each year, a statement of accounts presented, and a new committee elected. It is much to be desired that the practice of indiscriminate riding and jumping of horses in the midst of the spectators on the ground should be put a stop to ; it ically is a wonder that no accident to life or,limb has yet occurred. The attendance yesterday was not so good as formerly, although the weather in the earlier part of the day was all that could be desired. The' sports which should have begun much earlier, did not commence till after 1 o’clock, and although! only fifteen events were on the programme', it was quite half-past six before all was over. The following are the events ;

Three horses were entered for this event, but as they all preferred knocking down the bar it could not .be said to be a success. Mehdney’s roan got over once and obtained first prize ; the others got nothing. Boys Under 16 Flat Race, 410 yards. J. Doherty... ... ... ... A. Cox ... ... 2 At intervals between the events a number of children’s races, under the supervision of Messrs. Kemble and Sharp, were got up and eagerly contested, the sum of L 5 having been set apart by the Committee for that purpose. In the latter part of the afternoon a strong nor’-wester sprang up, rendering it a matter of sonie difficulty for the competitors to get over the ground.

Men’s Flat Race, 100 Yards. H. Primmer 1 - —Corbett ... 2 Boys’ Under Sixteen, Running High Jump. J. Doherty ... 1 A. Cox ... ' 2 Men’s Flat Race. 1 mile. Murphy 1 Freeman ... • 2 Putting the Stone. Blair 1 Teviotdalo ... 2 Men’s Running High Jump. A. Mangham, 5ft 23jin 1 Women’s Race. Miss Shannon ... ... ... 1 Mrs. Thompson 2 Throwing the Hammer. Teviotdale ... 1 Sheehan ... ... ;.. 2 Wrestling Match (Cumberland style). Teviotdale 1 A. Mahoney 2 Men’s Walking Race. 1 mile. Fagan ... 1 Murphy ... 2 Hack Steeplechase. l£ mile. W. Moss’s Terror (E. Lake) ... 1 Mahony’s Roan (Boll) 2 Men’s Running Long Jump. Corbett, 16ft lOin ... 1 Murphy 2 Men’s Hurdle Race. 120 yards. Corbett ... ... ... ... i Stony ... -.1. ... ... 2 Old Men’s Race (over 50 years) W. Doherty 1 W. Kemble... ... 2 Horse Jumping.